I recently saw this used to mean hilt, as in the blade had been shoved in up to the dudgeon. My dictionary says it is of unknown origin, and I'd never seen it used this way. What do you all think? Have you come across this usage? Or is your experience only with "in high dudgeon?"

Nice word, though, so if it hasn't been used before, perhaps I should suggest it as a Good Word.

dudgeon 1573, duggin, of unknown origin. One suggestion is It. aduggiare "to overshadow," giving it the same sense development as umbrage. No clear connection to earlier dudgeon (1380), a kind of wood used for knife handles, which is perhaps from a Fr. word.

I hope that you won't take dudgeon (high or low) at this missive.

"Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening all at once. Lately it hasn't been working."Anonymous